There's no denying the fact that, as a forum populated with people who have an appreciation for science fiction, discussions pertaining to Star Trek are going to be frequent, in-depth and occasionally argumentative. Trekkies--although much-maligned in some circles--are kind-hearted, but passionate about their beloved sci-fi franchise.

During my 10+ years as a member of the Ars Technica OpenForum, and during my four years as one of its moderators, I have had the good fortune of participating in countless debates about all aspects of the Star Trek universe with my fellow fans (and even some good-natured detractors). Over the years, I hope I'm not overreaching when I say that I feel that I've become something of an authority on Star Trek-related topics for those of us here in the Lounge. By no means am I the most well-versed in Trek lore, or the most passionate about its preservation...but I believe that love of all things Trek combined with my position as a Lounge moderator has made me something of a de facto leader when it comes to Star Trek issues here in our own personal Ten Forward.

It is in this combined role as Star Trek aficionado and Lounge moderator that I bring you this vision for the future of Trek discussion in the Lounge...

We have spammed the Lounge many times over with multiple, and sometimes redundant, Trek threads. I have been just as guilty of this phenomenon as anyone else. Indeed, I have some small measure of pride for how prolific we Trekkies can be in our discussions. However, lest we bring about the unholy marriage of chili and the Genesis Device, this spamming of threads must cease. Just as Earth, Vulcan, Tellar and Andor united to form the Federation, let us unite into one unified Trek thread.

Effective today, stardate 1111.15*, by Executive Order 27483, all denizens of the Lounge shall make their best effort to contain extensive discussion of topics related to Star Trek to this thread, the "Perpetual Star Trek Thread" as it were. Containment breaches will undoubtedly occur, but whenever possible we should do our best to avoid them.

At 1400 EST, all existing and active Star Trek threads will be locked. From that point forward, all Trek discussion must be confined to this new thread.

To bring a bit of substance (before the ponies come and all is lost). If there were a new series launched, what would you like to see?

I'd like to see a *fleet* series. Admiral on flagship, several other ships, all on station. Let's move the command decisions up and deal with some fleet politics (think of how much of a pain in the ass Kirk would be to his admiral, what with the sexual harassment suits and the not following orders). Besides, then you can wipe out a whole ship for dramatic impact: "Admiral, the NCC-1475 'Tasha Yar' isn't reporting!" instead of some random redshirt.

The thread on favorite enterprise got me thinking about the Star Trek ships in general and the design of each race's fleets. I was struck by the fact that the production designers did a great job in making the ships reflect their species and that many of the ships reminded me of animals and bugs. The Cardassians always reminded me of silverfish, the Dominion reminded me of bugs, and both the Kingons and Romulans obviously derive from birds.

It'll never get done now that the "Prime" timeline has been shelved, but I would've loved to see a prequel that covered the Earth-Romulan War. Give me some primitive-looking starships akin to those in the Starfleet Museum, give me long-range missiles tipped with nuclear warheads, give me audio-only subspace communications. Run it as a series or mini-series with a set of episodes (or an entire season, even) focus on different aspects of the war. One perspective could be the senior staff aboard a large cruiser or carrier, one could be the crew of one of the smaller patrol ships, one could be a group of fighter pilots, one could be the civilian governments making plans for war and hoping for peace, one could be civilians living under the specter of war, one could even be from the Romulan perspective as the antagonists (or from the Vulcan/Andorian/Tellarite perspective as allies of Earth).

As it notes in that article, that idea hasn't even been pitched to CBS yet. I get the distinct impression that CBS has placed its Trek bets on the alternate timeline going forward, although I'd be happy if that weren't the case. I don't have anything against the alternate timeline per se, but I think there's still some room left in the "Prime" timeline.

Another series idea I'd heard was an animated series run by Orci & Kurtzman that would take place in the alternate timeline, concurrent with the new films.

Personally, I think there's room for both. I don't have any problems keeping them compartmentalized.

I get the distinct impression that CBS has placed its Trek bets on the alternate timeline going forward, although I'd be happy if that weren't the case.

I think it's fairly safe to assume that if you asked a CBS programming executive about their thoughts on the competing Trek timelines, their eyes would glaze over and they'd have no clue what in the world you were going on about. That would be after they called security to have the nerd removed from their offices.

What I suspect they would care about is a fresher look at the franchise which appeals to a younger audience, much like the movie reboot did. The article suggests that they're going for that kind of approach with the possible new series, which should appease the execs, they're just going to do it within the prime timeline.

There's nothing inherent to either timeline that dictates the kind of tone and demographic they appeal to.

From what I can tell any new series is likely to take place in the "prime" timeline, with the Abramsverse being confined to the movies.

That's silly considering Abrams is the hottest thing in TV right now. If he wants to do a ST TV show in his reboot universe, he will get it, and it's unlikely they will confuse things by giving someone else the green light for a prime universe show.

It is a scam, Star Fleet is a member of the United Federation of Planets. I do not know what a Fedeation is but I suspect it is an illegitimate organization.

I am contacting you in respect of a family treasure of gold-pressed latinum deposited in my name i am Quark of united Fedeation Of plants. I am contacting you in respect of a family treasure of gold-pressed latinum deposited in my name by my late father who was a gold-pressed latinum merchant.As a well known buissness man,and a strong politicain ,my father was brutally murdered during the regime of Kirk III the ex- president of united Fedeation Of plants as he was.....